Nationwide — Dovico Raynard Miles, an African American man from Gainesville, Florida, who fought back during a violent 2022 home invasion, was sentenced to more than 22 years in federal prison after the case shifted to drug and weapons charges.
Miles, 47, was at home with his niece, D’Halani Armstrong, when the break-in happened on July 19, 2022. Court records say two men forced their way inside, searching for drugs, money, and jewelry. A struggle broke out, and Miles managed to wrestle a gun away from one of the intruders as shots were fired from both sides.
Amid the gunfire, Armstrong was fatally shot. Both intruders, Jason Ward and Alderious White, also suffered gunshot wounds. Investigators later confirmed that the firearm Miles used during the exchange belonged to one of the men who broke into the home.
Authorities said that after the shooting, Miles hid drugs and firearms in the backyard. According to a federal release, officers later recovered about 1,000 grams of cocaine, more than 70 grams of cocaine base, over 1,400 grams of methamphetamine, marijuana, several firearms, and $10,000 in cash.
Miles was already on federal supervised release tied to a 2008 drug conviction. Prosecutors charged him with new drug and weapons offenses, along with violating the terms of his release. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 20 years for the new charges, plus an additional two and a half years for the violation.
Local charges involving firearm possession and evidence tampering were later dropped. However, a separate Department of Justice case moved forward and resulted in the final sentence. Gainesville Police Chief Nelson Moya said authorities maintain “zero tolerance for violent crime” and remain focused on removing guns and drugs from the community.
The others involved in the home invasion have also been sentenced. Ward received 30 years in prison in October 2023. White was sentenced to 50 years in October 2025. Patrick Owen Watson, identified as the organizer, received a life sentence in December 2025. Tiara Luckie, who served as the getaway driver, pleaded no contest and was sentenced to 15 years of probation.